DENVER - Attorney General John Suthers today announced that the Denver District Court has dismissed the lawsuit challenging the adequacy of the State’s public school funding.

“The district court flatly rejected the argument that the current level of school funding in Colorado is unconstitutional,” said Suthers. “This decision is a victory for local control and for the idea that it is the responsibility of elected officials – not the courts - to decide how we fund public education.”

DENVER – Attorney General John Suthers today announced that his office obtained guilty verdicts in a case involving a mother and daughter for the theft of seven horses from Kansas and Utah.

The Attorney General’s Office, with the assistance of the Colorado State Brand Board, investigated Donja Vaughn and her mother, Sharon Vaughn, for the theft of horses occurring in 2000 and 2002. A statewide grand jury indicted the pair for numerous counts of theft, theft of animals, forgery, attempt to influence a public servant and conspiracy.

DENVER – Attorney General John Suthers today issued an advisory warning consumers about a scam in which consumers receive an email informing them of a tax refund. The email, which claims to be from the IRS, directs the consumer to a link that requests personal information such as a Social Security number.

This scam is a form of “phishing” in which the consumer is tricked into disclosing personal information. The information fraudulently obtained can then be used to steal the taxpayer’s identity and financial assets.

DENVER – Attorney General John Suthers today released the Attorney General’s 2005 Annual Report, detailing the responsibilities and duties carried out by the Attorney General’s Office and outlining the office’s many achievements in 2005.

“During my first year in office, I was pleased to oversee accomplishments on many fronts, which would not have been possible without the outstanding work of our dedicated staff,” said Suthers.

DENVER - The Colorado Supreme Court unanimously announced today in Roberts v. People that a trial court must award prejudgment interest to victims as part of probation for anyone found guilty of fraud or any other financial crime.

"Today’s decision is a great victory for the victims of financial crimes," said Suthers. "The decision makes the offender responsible for any of the economic setback incurred by the victim regardless of when the judgment is made."